The Railcar Association News Bulletin

ISSUE 132 November 2015 EDITORIAL vehicles on site, a record for a 101 3-car set E50253/E59303/E50170 Welcome to Issue 132. The Annual convention event. (Former set 101692). Convention at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway went really well and was Whilst Iris is always an old favourite thoroughly enjoyed by all. Thoughts are and universally popular, star of the day already turning to the next event, which was E50253 which was undertaking its will be held at the Dean Forest Railway. first runs following completion of its restoration at Wirksworth. The It is pleasing to include details of completion of this vehicle, the fifth 121034 on the mainline in this issue, Class 101 vehicle in the EVR's fleet, which shows that these little units allows both a fixed green liveried Class appear to be continuing to provide 101 3-car set to be formed, as well as useful service for . releasing other vehicles in the fleet to Long may they continue to do so. be formed neatly into fixed sets for the first time in the railway's history. Chris Moxon Friday Previously, vehicles tended to be After several month of preparation formed in any combination with 20th ANNUAL RAILCAR behind the scenes, day 1 of the event interesting hybrid sets as a result. was the traditional Driver Experience CONVENTION Day. Approximately a dozen members The day was a success with all the The 2015 annual Railcar Convention and associates took the controls of was held at the Ecclesbourne Valley either Derby Lightweight single unit Railway in Derbyshire on September M79900 (Iris) or newly formed Class 25th-27th. This was the second time the railway had hosted the event, the first being in 2009, however much had changed since then with a larger line and fleet of railcars being used this time around.

A total of five railcar sets were in service with a further three on site for inspection, totalling 13 individual driver experience slots being booked by Also at Wirksworth open for viewing pub in Wirksworth (see section below). participants, who all enjoyed the day. was the unique Derby Lightweight twin For those with a reasonable walking Two highlights were the first use of the set M79018/M79612 recently pace, the last round trip from railway's new passing loop at Shottle transferred from the Midland Railway Wirksworth-Duffield could be caught which doubles the number of trains the Butterley. This had the interior of the before all the DMU sets returned to nine mile line can handle each day, and powercar (recently stripped out to Wirksworth. Iris hauling a tail load from Wirksworth prevent further water damage) open to to Duffield during one of the experi- visitors with interpretation displays The festivities did not stop there ences, in the form of a Mark 1 coach inside the centre salon. Staff of the however, for at this point all the which was being tripped down to act as Derby Lightweight Preservation Group operating vehicles were coupled into a a mobile buffet for the weekend. were on hand to engage with interested mammoth 9-car formation (8 of which visitors. It is hoped by all concerned were powercars!) for the traditional Fish Saturday that the restoration of this sole surviving & Chip special in the evening. This trip Saturday followed a gala format with set will thrive at the EVR. is always particularly sociable and this the gates being thrown open to the year was no exception. A lovely run public and all operational vehicles in down the valley was hand in the service for the day. Iris and the 101 evening sunlight before passengers 3-car (already mentioned) were joined disembarked at Duffield for the chips to by a second 101 set in blue livery be served. These were consumed as (M51188/E51505), a Class 108/119 darkness fell and the Class 108/119 hybrid set (E53599/W51073) and hybrid was also used for four "turn up "bubble car" W55006. All worked and go" driver experiences to between Wirksworth and Duffield in Hazelwood and back. These various multiple combinations completed, the 9-car was reformed and throughout the day, with some sets also returned to Wirksworth marking the end in use on the short 1-in-27 branch from of the day. Wirksworth to Ravenstor. All of the railway's usual facilities were open for The trains in the morning were well Formal Meeting business, and the Llangollen Railcars filled with much networking between The formal meeting was held between sales stand was also in attendance on members as the DMU's covered the 14:00 and 16:00 at the Red Lion in the platform at Wirksworth. line. Between 14:00-16:00 the annual Wirksworth. 40 delegates attended general meeting of The Railcar which was a reasonable number Association was held in the Red Lion compared to last year (47). also working on promoting the town of positive experiences restarting the Wirksworth itself, which has always restoration of Class 104 M56182 at the been a poor relation to the more , he concluded by famous Matlock and Bakewell, with the registering disappointment at the costs railway as a key access point. Talk then of the EVR's driver experiences at this turned to the current facilities of the convention, which were triple the price railway and how they are currently of previous years and had put off limited – an example being the several of the regular TRA members maintenance facility which now requires who support the experiences and extending and more development usually book every year. before it can handle large steam engines. The Shottle loop project Chris Moxon, Secretary of the The meeting was opened by Eric (recently opened) was mentioned as association, gave his annual roundup of Boultbee, a director of the well as the next fundraising initiative: a the year which chronicled all the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, who booking hall building at Duffield. The additions, deaths, restorations and presented a talk on the development of presentation closed with the figures that movements within the DMU community the railway since we last visited in there are around 20-30 separate in the last 12 months. Four railcars had 2009. 2015 was the 15th anniversary of projects at any one time being entered preservation but were mainly the railway and the focus since 2011 progressed around the railway, so the offset by three others which had been has been to make the railway "wider" future looks bright indeed. cut up. A further six vehicles are rather than longer i.e. development of currently considered as at risk with the stations and facilities along the 9 Paul Moxon, Chairman of the disposal imminent. 11 vehicles had mile route. The April 2011 grand open- association, gave a welcome to the made movements by road to new ing to Duffeld was covered (at the last 20th convention and made brief homes (often with new owners) and convention only the three miles to introductions. He expressed that there several of these are now under Idridgehay was open) including a BBC had been fairly balanced positive and restoration having previously been in news video featuring the event. Some negative developments this year and storage. A further 6 vehicles had moved pictures were shown of the regular that things were overall going fairly well. to outside facilities for contract work to testing work that forms valuable income There were still problems with several be undertaken, including at the newly for the EVR during the mid-week and DMU vehicles considered "at risk" and established Grinsty Rail at the relationship between the railway parts availability of some key (Rowsley) which appears to be and mainline operator East Midlands components continues to be a specialising in DMU contract work. Trains was explained. The railway are challenge. After a personal mention of Customers included the Severn Valley and Great Central Railways. A single in a policy making environment for the even distorted bogie frames. movement was made by Class 122 first time. Following several issues W55006 for the gala event at regarding the HRA being able to Trevor remained on the floor to share Llangollen. A summary of the major and recognise TRA as a proper organisation his experience of organising minor restorations that had either been (given our informal set-up, lack of replacement fluid flywheel gaskets. He started or completed during 2015 then accounts etc) Evan GH was pleased to found them fun to research and had followed and the talk was then report that HRA had agreed to waive learned a lot about these components concluded with some facts and figures some of the membership requirements during the research process. He of the overall DMU fleet. There are now to accommodate our type of showed how there was machined 281 DMU's preserved, of which 144 organisation. A proposal was then evidence (a groove) in the flywheel (51%) are in service). Interestingly, made to join the HRA and take our showing that a nitrile chord should be there were 44 vehicles currently under place officially as an organisation. The fitted to prevent leakage. Moving onto restoration which was a significant support in favour was unanimous with flywheel gland seals, he warned that increase from 2014 (36). 40 votes for and none against. A whip professional lapping is required (he round was made to cover the HRA used a firm in Runcorn) following a Evan Green Hughes, of Llangollen membership fees and immediately two failure of one of them. Railcars, shared his recent years of subscriptions were generated. developments made on behalf of the Trevor's last topic was problems association (TRA) involving the Alan Pitt, of the Nottingham Railcar regarding engine oil pressure switches. Association (HRA). It Group, then made a brief presentation A new rising pressure switch had been had been explained how TRA were an on brake rigging, starting with an found and was only £24 for a drop in informal self help group which worked explanation on how the drop links work replacement. This was discovered after very well but had no official integration and apply the brake shoes to the wheel. no less than 6 weeks research! with the outside world, namely the An interesting demonstration then HRA. The HRA had recently become followed showing the snow-ball effect of The highlight for many at the meeting far more practical and had been mechanical wear on the combined was the next talk by Nigel Tilly, ex encouraged by the Office of Rail and components. Trevor Daw then took up and fleet controller of the Road to be the official line for heritage the talk and explained how his group at Class 124 Trans Pennine fleet in its railway policy. HRA had recently been the had final years in operation on BR. He very interested in what we do and they rebushed and refurbished several shared how that because few in BR asked if TRA would be interested in bogies worth of brake gear. really cared about DMU's, those in corporate membership of HRA, Refurbishing links often showed up control had plenty of freedom to therefore getting official representation other issues such as bent tie rods or exercise. He opened with a history of the Class 124's including the withdrawal problems whilst Norwich depot created work on wheelsets. There are 12 types of the buffet cars in the 1970's and also them! Nigel talked of how the bubble of wheelsets used on DMU's and he the fleet's demise which sadly resulted cars were pushed out of service as has created a table of the differing leaf in none entering preservation. A route soon as possible as their braking springs for each bogie. He finished with map and first class seat survives in systems were far more prone to failure an appeal from different DMU owners Nigel's own collection however! The talk than other DMU's. It was also Nigel who to check their leaf springs (many of was full of interesting bits of pushed for Class 101's to remain on BR which are stamped with numbers) so he information, such as how the fibreglass in favour of Class 108's. This can fully populate the table prior to its cab fronts made the curved glass a conclusion was reached following some general release. nightmare to fit and some of the nasty results of the weaker Class 108's interesting hybrid DMU's that were in collisions. The talk concluded with a Kevin Dowd, of the Birmingham RailCar formed out of 124 sets when a return to the Class 124's and how the Workgroup (East Lancs Railway), powercar went down. One story team involved with operating them did shared his idea to reconstruct a Class involved a Class 124 with a absolutely everything they could to see 128 parcels car (none of the originals backwards-wired thermostat resulting in a set saved. However they were to survived). He considered it an the vehicle running for 18 months prove unsuccessful, the entire fleet achievable project, with help, as they without any coolant ever making it to being withdrawn practically overnight are only single units so represent a far the engine. The problem was never after the last day's services (13th May easier project than some other extinct flagged up as the rest of the Class 1984). The North Yorkshire Moors classes, for example a 6-car Class 124. 124's were so prone to overheating in Railway got close to saving a set but He invited opinions from the floor. It daily service! The talk then covered the asbestos contamination destroyed the was agreed that before any project acquisition of the similar Western plan. The Severn Valley made an could begin in earnest a suitable donor Region Class 123 fleet which had been approach later to get a set but were too vehicle would have to be obtained at withdrawn at Cardiff. Nigel was late. the right time. The Class 115 is the instrumental in combining the two fleets closest relation mechanically to the 128 at Hull and shared some stories of the Chris Nesbitt then followed gingerly but this was faced with opposition as sets including a crash which resulted in admitting that he had purchased one of the spare parts situation of Class 115's a gutter from a crunched DMU entering Nigel's withdrawn Class 108 sets just is dire. General opinion was that the a Class 123 and making it was far back this year for restoration at the Mid public wouldn't have too much concern as the first passenger compartment. Norfolk Railway! Following the what the configuration mechanically The talk then turned to other classes of discovery of a cracked leaf spring Chris was, and that a mechanically standard DMU at the time, one tongue in cheek has been investigating spring types on Class 117 vehicle would be a better comments that Cambridge depot solved DMU's as a follow up to his previous donor vehicle and more practical, albeit less historically accurate. North Norfolk Railway: M51192/ M56352 struggled through to the end of Some minor points were covered within the season losing a freewheel unit "Any Other Business" before the along the way. It now gets a rest until meeting was closed. February.

21st ANNUAL RAILCAR E51228 has been extracted from CONVENTION storage and is now at Weybourne The 2016 annual Railcar Convention Works top be lifted and have a bogie will be held at the Dean Forest Railway swap so that its original bogies can be on the 17th-18th September 2016. stripped down and overhauled. The new diagrams for the Chiltern More details for the convention will be MAINLINE NEWS Bubble cars are as follows: released here as and when they W55034 has been returned to Chiltern become available Railways after overhaul at Tyseley and ECS 06:xx AYS - PRR is now back in service. It is seen at and Princess Risborough on 07:19 PRR-AYS NEWS 07:46 AYS-PRR Midland Railway Butterley: Following 23rd October, photos by David Henwood. 08:23 PRR-AYS a period out of use, the 127 (3 car) unit 08:49 AYS-PRR is now once again available for traffic, 09:16 PRR-AYS (Takes the place of fuel starvation issues now fixed, and a what was a Marylebone - Aylesbury) problem with a torque converter have been repaired. Number 1 engine on 17;26 AYS-PRR M51591 remains partially stripped and 18:04 PRR-AYS will be the subject of rebuilding following a dropped valve over the next 55020 has now gone to Tyseley in few months, with the cylinder heads place of 55034 and is to be overhauled having now been returned from to the same standard to take it report- overhaul. The unit is more than capable edly through to the year 2020. of operating on 3 engines and the works will fit around its rostered use. the vehicle’s cab until the warmer weather returns. In the meantime plenty of components have been progressed, and the six exterior doors have been removed from the vehicle to be stripped down and repaired. So far the two cab doors have been started. Other compo- nents that have been completed include the access steps from the corridor end, plastic supports for the interior light Class 105 51485: The long process of shades and the ventilator grills from the sanding and filling the bodysides of saloon ceilings. RESTORATION NEWS Sc51485 at Bury has continued and the Class 114 50019: This vehicle at first coat of undercoat over the filled Butterley has seen significant work in areas has now been applied. recent times, the brake van floor has been removed to expose the rotten steel work underneath, consideration of a full replacement is underway, and a supplier of the metal work has been Class 103 56160: Asbest os located. The vehicle has received new decontamination is scheduled for batteries and electrical work that will November. allow the lights and heating to be used so it can be worked on during the cold Class 104 56182: The big news is that Class 108 51914: The cab front and dark periods. during early November the vehicle was replacement project has been transferred from the storage shed into accelerated with mush rotten panel Class 104 50455: Due to other labour the yard at Weybourne where the work pulled off and the framework commitments, further welding work has facilities exist to progress the main revealed. The cab roof dome has also been postponed until January. However element of the restoration on the been removed. The framework is now body prep on the areas that don’t re- vehicle body and chassis itself. in the process of being replaced where quire new steel has been progressing However the good weather for 2015 sections have corroded and the remain- well with the drivers side of the vehicle has sadly been missed so only limited ing sections cleaned and painted. As now resembling a patchwork quilt! stripping down will be undertaken on part of the works the cab-to-saloon Bulkhead is being dismantled and will MOVEMENTS be replaced. Class 108 52064 has been returned to the Severn Valley Railway following the completion of its contract bodywork and repaint at Grinsty Rail (Peak Rail).

Travelling the opposite way, from the SVR to Peak Rail, is 59250, which has followed 52064 for the same treatment.

SECOND CLASS DAYS By David Henwood

I remember when I was a Second Class citizen, do you? I refer to the era which seemed to exist roughly between the early 1970s and the early 1990s, the era when trains provided First and Second Class accommodation. First Class still exists on the main Inter-City routes, as it does on many inner and into the future. The Great Western did you know Aylesbury once had two outer suburban services radiating from Railway originally used two-axle stage stations? Aylesbury Town was the . Where this particular line is coach-style carriages which would offer Great Central Railway station used also concerned, few travellers today would both First and Third Class by the Wycombe Railway and think of themselves as second class accommodation. Can you imagine that Aylesbury High Street was the terminus citizens and the reason behind this is today, travelling third class? Would it of a branch line from Cheddington that the term Second Class was bother you? operated by the London and North changed to Standard Class well over a Western Railway! decade ago. The change of stance was You might be less concerned if you agreed by the private sector as a way discovered that a third class coach in 1873 – The opening of the Great of making passengers feel they were the Victorian era was in terms of Marlow Railway from a junction with the more valued and it worked along with cushioned seating, considerably more Wycombe Railway at Marlow Road the passenger becoming the Customer comfortable that a present day railway Station, a location which was renamed at point of sale. carriage, I jest not, comfort was very Bourne End with immediate effect. The much the watch word in Edwardian and Marlow Branch was worked by the So where did it all start, this Second Victorian times and sadly it’s a feature mighty Great Western from the outset. Class thing? We need to go back into that has been slowly eroded over time. Four wheel carriages with First and history to answer that. Early railway Let me provide you with a time line that Third Class compartments were the carriage development shared common will put things into perspective. norm. practice with the Stage Coach and indeed, railway carriage design in the 1854 – The opening of the Wycombe 1930s – Replacement carriages came early 19th century looked very much Railway from Maidenhead to High in the form of the Great Western like a Stage Coach body on a railway Wycombe, Princes Risborough and ‘Auto-Coach’, running on bogies rather chassis. Much has been written on that Oxford. The WR had one branch line, than a fixed axle, the ride quality was subject so I won’t go into detail here but from Princes Risborough to Aylesbury immediately improved, however with rather, let’s look at the Marlow Branch Town. Edwardian and Victorian the reduction (on most trains) down to in that period. The 19th Century was carriages were the order of the day with just the one coach, First Class ceased the railway century without any doubt; it First Class and Third Class to exist between Marlow and Bourne was the era when Stage Coaches and accommodation provided in End, together with those odd turns Canals took a back seat; the era when compartments. Seats would be leather when the ‘Donkey’ worked through to railways finally brought commerce and in Third Class and sumptuously Maidenhead. transportation kicking and screaming upholstered in First Class. Incidentally, A second auto coach was added to going into unnecessary detail, Diesel of unpowered Driving Trailers were built some trains, often with the locomotive - Multiple Units or DMUs for short; were to partner the Bubbles and it was this an auto-tank, sandwiched between the built by a number of manufacturers ‘Bubble Car and Trailer’ concept that two. The train was driven from the con- throughout Britain and crucially almost was to form the mainstay of Marlow trol cab of the auto coach with the fire- all types could work together, offering Branch working for many years. man remaining on the footplate of the an interoperability in the 20th Century locomotive. that no longer exists 21st. The DMUs The 3-car sets provided First Class were built in three styles, Suburban, accommodation in the centre vehicle Trains on the Wycombe Branch had Cross-Country and Inter-City; with the which was also where the toilet was also been upgraded with 57ft Suburban former, providing high density seating located. The Bubble Cars were Second Compartment Stock on through work- whilst the other two offered low density, Class only with no toilet. It was a title ings from Paddington to Oxford and more spacious layouts. which subsequently began to appear on Aylesbury. Six carriages were quite nor- Branch Line timetables, ‘Second Class mal on such trains and you wonder just Where the and Only - unless otherwise shown’ how easy it would have been to secure British Railways had chosen a becoming a familiar addition. These a compartment to yourself? suburban layout for its outer London original DMUs incorporated features and home-counties steam-hauled which would be almost unthinkable in 1948 – Nationalisation of Britain’s services, it was logical that the DMUs today’s society where vandalism has railways. The Great Western became that replaced them were to be of a become more commonplace, they British Railways and was split between similar design. Most were built by included mirrors in the saloons, each the Western and Midland Regions. The Pressed Steel Limited at their Linwood one having the initials ‘BR’ engraved Wycombe and Marlow branches sat Plant near Glasgow, whilst a few were into the centre. Imitation wood Formica within the Western Region. built at British Railways’ own works at panels and wood trim throughout was Derby, being delivered as either the order of the day with individually 1962 – The end of steam on the three-coach or single coach units. To sprung seats stuffed with horse hair Wycombe and Marlow branches complicate matters, some of the units providing a comfort that has long since brought with it the biggest change yet. were built by the Gloucester Railway disappeared. Diesel Mechanical Multiple Units took Carriage and Wagon Company in over from the time honoured steam Gloucester. The three-coach units were 1968 – 1970 Only those services locomotives that people had grown up usually referred to as 3-car sets whilst shown to run through between with and at the same time, Third Class the single cars were more commonly Paddington and could was rebranded Second Class. Without known as Bubble Cars. Later, a number be relied upon to offer First Class, all other services were to be Second Class Marlow Branch and today in 2015, seen Returning to the Marlow Branch, certain Only and worked by the Bubble Cars. It only on preserved railways with one exceptions existed. One was that it was was common practice to use two exception, the branch line from Princes always possible for a 3-car set with ‘Bubbles’, one operating in current style Risborough to Aylesbury on the Chiltern First Class to operate the off peak between Maidenhead and Marlow, Line. service and I’m led to believe that this reversing at Bourne End whilst the did occur on several occasions. other operated between High Wycombe 1971 – 1991 – Twenty years would now Another interesting exception was on and Bourne End, making use of the pass with the branch line being Second Sundays, where from the early 1970s longer Up Platform. These latter Class Only Unless Otherwise Shown; until 1986 there was no Sunday service workings were few and far between and for the most part, only the two weekday whatsoever. The availability of the line those that did run appeared to offer no through services between Bourne End together with staff, that were often glad connection into Marlow or Maidenhead and Paddington offered First Class to be asked to work on a Sunday services, thereby making through accommodation but there were enabled the local passenger user group journeys impractical and in turn making exceptions. Within this period, from to operate summer excursion trains to a the Thames Valley Omnibus a better about 1975 so far as I can tell, the variety of destinations. The economy of alternative - a good way to close a line regular branch line formation was a the time played a role in this but it was if ever there was one and a tactic often ‘Bubble Car’ and accompanying Driving British Rail’s non-profit, nationalised set used on other lines, sometimes referred Trailer, the latter although offering up that made available such important to as closure by stealth. some 92 additional seats was almost detail as spare carriages, spare always locked out of use due to the locomotives and spare crew that really Guard being unable gain access made this project work. Today, the 21st between the two vehicles and thus Century railway no longer knows the unable to check or sell tickets. meaning of the word ‘spare’ and it is the Interestingly, on the Slough to Windsor passengers that suffer. The days of branch where the same combination having carriages and staff ‘sat spare’ was provided, both vehicles were in and available to work as required are use, presumably due to the much now long gone. heavier passenger loadings and the very short out and back nature of the On Excursion Sundays, two 3-Car sets route. The fact that both Slough and were employed on the branch line con- Windsor had staffed ticket barriers and necting with a mainline train at Maiden- Second Class seating in a Class 121 booking offices also helped. head which would have been a ‘proper’ ‘Bubble Car’, once the staple diet of the train in every sense of the word; ten, eleven or even thirteen carriages Help came in the shape of ‘foreign’ traditional slam variety. Wide vestibules hauled by a being units drafted in from East Anglia and assisted passengers to board and quite common for a run down to South Manchester, many of which contained a alight, an idea that would be used to Devon, West Wales or even across to small First Class section but rather than decrease station dwell time and Great Yarmouth! this being found in the centre vehicle as generally speed up the railway. had been the case hitherto, these With the reintroduction in 1986 of a Cross-Country sets were of a low- At the same time Second Class Sunday service between Maidenhead density arrangement with a First Class became Standard Class, the well and Marlow, 3-Car sets were used, section located at one end, immediately sprung stuffed seat which had been providing First Class accommodation behind the Driver. In time we would such an attraction for me and the on a Second Class only route, enabling learn that this would become the accepted norm of everyone else passengers to travel in additional preferred arrangement with the new became an un-sprung, un-stuffed cloth comfort without the need to purchase a diesel trains being delivered in this covered plastic chair. The much loved First Class ticket. style. forward view offered by the slam-door sets also became a thing of the past but 1991 to date These temporary sets were if anything perhaps over and above all of that, the Over a two year period from 1991 to in even worse condition than those for feature most missed of the old trains 1993 something odd happened, new which they had been acquired to was the Guards Van; a place to store trains had been ordered for Thames augment. After some protracted your bike, a place to carry the mail and Valley routes, two fleets for both inner problems with the mechanical gear the newspapers and on one day in and outer suburban duties. The Class boxes and the somewhat long-in-the- living memory, even a canoe! All things 165 and its sister the Class 166 were tooth health of these visitors, their considered, I definitely preferred being externally very similar, the latter being replacement in the form of the Thames a Second Class passenger. equipped with carpets, air-conditioning Turbo arrived not quickly enough. and tables – a feature that had never TIME TRAVELLER before been seen on the branch line. The new fleet of Class 165 trains were Green Era Between the time of the new fleet being delivered to the Thames Valley under Class 100 - East Pilton Halt - c1958 ordered and the expected delivery date, the care of the then recently created the reliability of the now 30 year old Network Southeast. The ‘Thames Class 109 - Beccles - c1958 slam-door fleet was giving cause for Turbos’ as they were originally called concern and some remedial action was were introduced to the branch line in Class 116 - Arley - 1959 needed on a short term basis if we 1993 and what a change they brought. were to have a train service at all. Sliding Plug doors replaced the Blue Era FOR SALE future bulletins, please make yourself or Class 100 - Chester - 5/81 DMU SPARES FOR SALE – On behalf them known to [email protected] The of Matthew Smith 101 Fund: following types of submission would be Class 127 M51623 - Cricklewood - most welcome: 31/12/81 1. Genuine Leyland NAJ1532 and  Photographs of vehicles in NAJ1533 Outer and Inner Valve service Class 105 - Lakenham - 25/10/85 Springs for Leyland 680 and L11 en-  Restoration articles gines. £50 per engine set (24 springs);  Reports on special events Blue/Grey & Later includes postage  DMU modelling articles Class 101 - Durham - 9/79  Articles on DMU history 2. Window Catch Springs for Class 101  Recollections of DMUs on the Class 117 - Reading - 27/4/80 (Widney) Sliding Ventilators, national network.

Sheradised. £2 each; includes postage  Requests for information Class 101 - Dunston - 11/87  News & images of recent DMU

3. Final Drive Piston Nuts – British activity 101663 - Mochdre - 5/6/93 made 1/2BSF Bent Beam Locking Nuts  Anything that may be of interest for Forward/Reverse Air Pistons. Can to readers WANTED be re-used and dispenses with slotted Class 122 window frame. The size is 44 nut/split pin. £5 pair; includes postage. Feel free to send submissions at any 1/2 inches by 35 1/2 inches. Contact time to [email protected] but no later Des Thomas. 4. Genuine Class 101 Guard’s Van Let- than December 30th for Issue 133 (due ter Racks; designed to fit above guard’s out January) corner seat. £20 each; collection only.

Contact Dave Clay to purchase/ enquiries. Mobile 07788 447431

SUBMISSIONS Hopefully the contents of this bulletin was both interesting and informative. If you know anyone who could provide similar material found in this issue for GALLERY

A large part of the Llangollen DMU fleet seen together at Pentrefelin depot, 18/10/15 (P.Dickinson)

Class 117 W51401/W51367 arrive into Bronwydd Arms during a Gwili Railway gala, 10/10/15 (C.Walker)

Bodmin’s spares donor (Class 108) 51947 now with plated Class 108 M54490/M51907 crosses the Dee Bridge, windows, 31/10/15 (P.Renaut) 18/10/15 (P.Dickinson)